And Some of The Best Sunscreens for Baby Are…

Every year as the mercury rises and families spend more time outside in the sun with their children, an inevitable question arises: is sunscreen safe for my baby? Well, that depends.

As we mentioned in our Baby Care Dos and Don’ts for Summer last week, babies younger than six months old should not wear sunscreen. Their skin is just too thin and sensitive at this point, and their bodies are less effective than adults at fending off toxins. But what about when they reach six months? And then become toddlers? Is sunscreen suddenly safe?

Unfortunately, the answer’s not that simple. There are opposing viewpoints on this topic. Several government and medical institutions maintain that sunscreen use is safe after six months old and is effective for protecting from sun burns and skin cancer. They also emphasize lack of credible data that point to any health risks of using sunscreen. There are many organizations, however, including the Environmental Working Group (EWG), that warn against absorbing endocrine disrupting chemicals such as oxybenzone–a common sunscreen ingredient–into our bodies.

While there are certainly credible arguments from each side, parents of young children are understandably cautious, and some chose sunscreens with minimal potentially harmful ingredients, which I do recommend. According to the EWG, here are some of the best sunscreen lotions for kids in 2016:

That said, until there are substantial studies either proving safety or revealing harmful effects of slathering ourselves and our children with synthetic chemicals, shade, wearing a hat and covering up with breathable clothing are the ideal sun protection solutions!

Carole’s Blog

Carole Kramer-Arsenault, an internationally recognized expert and award winning author has spent the last two decades helping parents through pregnancy, birth and all of their new responsibilities once baby comes home—both as a longtime registered nurse, and as the founder of Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny, the most highly regarded baby-care service in New England including overnight newborn care and nanny placement services.

Her latest book, Newborn 101, includes valuable information about pregnancy, birth and caring for newborns. It also has contains information about caring for multiples, caring for preterm babies, and an entire chapter dedicated to the NICU experience.

Our Philosophy

The team at Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny knows that welcoming a new caregiver into the home is a big decision for parents. That’s why, for over a decade now, we’ve committed to providing families with the absolute best in newborn support, overnight care, sleep coaching and an award winning nanny placement service. At Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny we have a genuine desire to be known for our high standards, our integrity and our dedication to the families we serve. This commitment to excellence has made us Boston’s most trusted and sought after childcare resource.